Fuel smuggling continues

TUYEIMO HAIDULA



OSHAKATI

The Namibian police in the Oshana Region have arrested a 46-year-old man after he was found in possession of smuggled fuel at the bridge near the Ompumbu location.

Oshana police spokesperson Thomas Aiyambo said Fabius Akawa was, on Tuesday, allegedly found in possession of 47 plastic 25-litre containers of fuel smuggled from Angola into Namibia.

Aiyambo said the suspect mostly goes to Oshikango in Ohangwena near the Angolan border to buy the fuel.

He said Akawa resells the petrol to taxi drivers in the Oshakati area for N$250 per container.

Hailing from Ongenga village in Ohangwena, Akawa appeared in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court this week and was released on bail.

Police investigations continue.

Meanwhile, Aiyambo expressed concern over the smuggling of fuel, cigarettes, liquor and food from Angola into Namibia though mostly the Oshikango border post.

“The police in Oshana have intensified border patrols to combat fuel smuggling. This will not be allowed to continue,” he said.